Well, in a lifelong Christmas tradition, I am once again sick for Christmas. But not complaining since this virus has been running around my system for a couple of months now and it is finally breaking out, so I am glad to see it go. My neighbors brought me fire-roasted tamales and hot sangria (in exchange for the cookies and jam I brought them yesterday) so that cleared my nose and helped a lot. And that's what Christmas is all about, anyway, sharing what you have with those around you. Good will to all. Cultural exchange for the win.
This is the first time in a long time I have felt a little of the Christmas spirit returning. There's still a little sadness mixed in (today would have been our 30th wedding anniversary) but overall I feel more hopeful and feeling a little more of that elation of giving to others and looking forward to the delighted surprises of Christmas morning. I even bought a tiny tree in a pot that we can plant out in the yard in the spring and hope the deer don't eat it. I've given up on decorating otherwise; can't even do my traditional Christmas tablecloth etc. because my dining table is still full of Japan from my son's trip. But we're together and that's what really counts.
Wishing you all these rare and precious moments of contentment and warmth.
Also letting you all know I'm going to be offline from the middle of January thru the beginning of February at various intervals. I'm going to be having cataract surgery, which, while usually a simple procedure, has an added risk for me due to the fact I have had retinal detachment in both eyes. There is a chance the procedure may trigger another tear or detachment. So fingers crossed I will come out of this retaining my eyesight.
Warm wishes to all for a lovely holiday season and a New Year full of self-discovery and joyous self-expression. In the words of the late great Stan Lee, EXCELSIOR!